By Ernest J. Markezin, Director, Committee Services

One of the occasionally overlooked benefits of being a member of the New York State Society of CPAs is the ability to join and participate in one of the NYSSCPA’s statewide committees. Few professional organizations can boast of how its members have formed and contributed to a growing list of respected and knowledge-driven committees that are open to the entire membership.

The committees provide an excellent forum for discussion of the accounting, auditing, tax and professional issues facing the CPA in today’s environment, and also provide outstanding opportunities for sharpening technical and leadership skills, networking and CPE credit. Committees actively involve themselves in evaluating and providing comment on today’s evolving regulations, standards and legislation, serving as a vehicle for members to be assertive advocates for their profession.

Committee membership is a member benefit that affords individuals the ability to share knowledge with highly skilled professionals in various fields, to enjoy the esteem that comes with having a hand in the transformation of the profession and the Society, and to experience the satisfactions in making a contribution.

The Society has more than 60 statewide committees that encompass all areas of the profession, from accounting and auditing, to taxation and consulting services, to Society operations, to a significant and growing list of specific industry committees with an emphasis on the unique concerns faced by industry members. The variety of committees suits those interested in enhancing their technical proficiency and career potential, in having a voice in the legislative and regulatory process, in making business contacts, and in giving back to the profession through mentoring or educational program development. See the abridged committee description listing beginning on page 9 to find a committee that best complements your interests.

To uncover the benefits of committee membership, you may apply online by going to www.nysscpa.org, clicking on “Find Committees” under “Things To Do” on the home page and then clicking on the “Committee Application” link. You may also contact Nereida Gomez, committee services manager, at 212-719-8358 or by e-mail at ngomez@nysscpa.org.

Members currently serving on committees no longer are required to go through an annual reapplication process. In September 2002, the Committee Operations Committee, in response to committee membership, approved a streamlined procedure based on the principle that members who volunteer to serve on committees typically desire to do so for periods longer than 12 months.

Current-year committee members are carried over automatically to the next committee year unless they notify the Society that they do not wish to continue or the chair deems that their service is no longer required. Committee members can check their committee service history through their online member profile by clicking on “Change Your Info” on the home page of www.nysscpa.org, and clicking on “Committee Service.” Beginning Jan. 1, a check box will appear beside listed committees for members to notify the Society should they wish to no longer serve on a particular committee.

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